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  Discussion about math, puzzles, games and fun.   Useful symbols: ÷ × ½ √ ∞ ≠ ≤ ≥ ≈ ⇒ ± ∈ Δ θ ∴ ∑ ∫ • π ƒ -¹ ² ³ °

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#26 2013-06-20 14:57:22

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
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Re: You are not so smart

No, its not the author's observation.
A psychologyst named Forer gave out questionnaires to take a personality test of a few people. Then he ignored the answers and gave this evaluation to everyone of them. Then he asked everyone to rate it within 0 to 5, the average rating was 4.2


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#27 2013-06-20 15:10:01

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

Okay, let's say that is true and he is not one of the scientists he mentions that pad their results.

A few people is not enough, nor is it a random sample. Unless we are one of the people ( Embodied Cognition ) who already believe something close to this it has no validity.

My point is this, since he is sort of human and suffers from everything in that book, how can I trust his assertions? Is he not deluded? Is he not a falsifier of information? Doesn't he see only what he already believes? He says everyone else does! Why is he special? Does he believe he is a secular scientist? I think the whole book is a massive contradiction. He wrote a large, wordy "Liars Paradox."


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#28 2013-06-20 15:21:11

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

That is the Ad Hominem Fallacy, just because he is deluded does not mean he is a compulsive liar.

Another way is to believe that he knows it, but does not realise it.

The Forer effect seems to be all right. It is the only way I can see I should describe horoscopes

Last edited by Agnishom (2013-06-20 15:23:55)


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#29 2013-06-20 15:34:57

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

Hmmm, is it the only way? Did you not notice a similarity yesterday? Are you ignoring an observation because it does not fit into your reality?

psychiatrist: What did you see?

patient: Little men were walking in the ward last night. They were examining the restrained patients and they got into the lab somehow...

psychiatrist: The lab is locked.


patient: I know that, I do not know how they got in there.


psychiatrist: They?

patient: Yes, they were about 3 foot 8 inches tall with large heads and big eyes. They were grey. I never saw anything like them before.

psychiatrist: That is enough for today.

psychiatrist report: The patient is obviously hallucinating and is making use of a self reinforcing delusion. We will have to be more aggressive with treatment from now one. Recommend shock therapy and or anti-psychotics.

Coclusion: The patient is having problems because according to the psychiatrist little people do not exist. They do not fit in his world therefore the patient is hallucinating badly. But if they exist then he is not crazy, the psychiatrist is.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#30 2013-06-20 15:42:03

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

Crazy or not or abnormal or not is a relative thing to speak of. Who decides what the norm is?

The book does not tell us to be crazy, however, it points out our misconceptions.

This is the Liar's Paradox. You are bound to agree to the book anyway. If you blindly believe it its the The Argument from Authority fallacy, if you think the author is wrong because he is deluded, it is The Ad Hominem Fallacy.

Last edited by Agnishom (2013-06-20 15:50:44)


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#31 2013-06-20 15:51:43

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

If he were unbalanced how can he be rational? Lots of of unbalanced people write books. Have you read Mein Kampf?

Who decides what the norm is?

We do! If someone looks different and acts different society says he is weird. That author is a member of society. He thinks although he is tainted his conclusions are accurate! Why are his conclusions better than mine or yours? Because society says he is an expert? Or because he claims he is one? Does he have a good suit and a briefcase?

If I say I saw a lovely girl yesterday everyone perks up and I am accepted. If I say I saw a large floating disk over the lake that was not making a sound I am crazy.

The people judging did not see the girl or the disk. They want to hear about one and not the other. With one I am an interesting pal, with the other I am a kookoo.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#32 2013-06-20 16:14:43

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

Lots of of unbalanced people write books. Have you read Mein Kampf?

Only the fist page.

Because he is not rational does not mean he is wrong


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#33 2013-06-20 16:18:32

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

He is half right it is wrong to assume that someone is wrong because they are deluded. But does that mean I should assume they are right because they are deluded?


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#34 2013-06-20 16:41:43

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

No, you should verify whether it appeals to your logic or not


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#35 2013-06-20 16:46:19

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

Yep, so when it comes down to it, it is all up to you.

And that you, is very time relevant.

I remember having a discussion with someone about some of these points. Your whole life you can go around believing Carl Sagan, then you go into the woods and see the very thing he says can not exist. You now have a choice. Am I crazy or is he wrong? I would prefer saying he is wrong. He would say he is crazy!


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#36 2013-06-20 16:55:39

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

it is all up to you.

Not totALLY. You do not decide what other people are like


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#37 2013-06-20 17:05:12

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

In a sense you do. You can decide how you see them.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

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#38 2013-06-21 01:11:50

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

Welcome to infinity


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

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#39 2013-06-21 01:12:43

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

I have requested that MIF make you a real member. Do you accept?


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#40 2013-06-21 01:14:37

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

Yes. Thats okay.
If i deserve to be..


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

#41 2013-06-21 01:15:36

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

Yes, I think you do. You will now have PM rights and privileges and special respect.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#42 2013-06-21 01:17:16

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

Okay, thanks smile


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

#43 2013-06-21 01:17:41

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

You are welcome and I will make the announcement.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#44 2013-06-21 01:21:32

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

How?

By the way, I had two curious questions about a forum functionality

Last edited by Agnishom (2013-06-21 01:22:11)


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

#45 2013-06-21 01:22:52

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

MIF just writes it in and you are there.

What do you want to know?


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#46 2013-06-21 01:27:32

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

1. How does the forum software know if an user is online?
2. Do you and MiF have a special power to appear offline even if you're online?


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

#47 2013-06-21 01:30:26

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

1) I believe Flux handles that. I do not know exactly how.

2) I would think he does. I think I do also. I am never offline but sometimes I appear that I am.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#48 2013-06-21 01:32:05

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

If I never logout, will it always show me online?


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

#49 2013-06-21 01:33:46

bobbym
bumpkin
From: Bumpkinland
Registered: 2009-04-12
Posts: 109,606

Re: You are not so smart

No, there are other ways to go offline.


In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

Offline

#50 2013-06-21 01:40:28

Agnishom
Real Member
From: Riemann Sphere
Registered: 2011-01-29
Posts: 24,974
Website

Re: You are not so smart

phpBB always lets the user decide whether he is offline or not


'And fun? If maths is fun, then getting a tooth extraction is fun. A viral infection is fun. Rabies shots are fun.'
'God exists because Mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists because we cannot prove it'
I'm not crazy, my mother had me tested.

Offline

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